Student Sustainability Research Conference 2020

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PRESENTED AT AND ATTENDED #SSRC20!

On Wednesday 26th February 2020, over 200 staff, students and visitors attended the fourth Annual Student Sustainability Research Conference.

Building knowledge of sustainability is fundamental to our teaching strategy here at Leeds, and as part of the University’s Seven Principles on the Climate Crisis, we committed to give opportunities to students to take part in activities to promote sustainability.

This event celebrated and highlighted the critical role that student research plays in finding innovative interdisciplinary solutions.

The day consisted of student presentations, an all-day exhibition, networking sessions and a keynote panel, and began with a welcome address from Professor Lisa Roberts (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation) and Dr Louise Ellis (Director of Sustainability).

Research showcased on the day, from the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Arts University students ranged from turning brewery waste into energy to using oranges to solve dental caries; making freshers’ fairs more sustainable to creating a “Green Guide” for the city. Students also linked their research back to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The day culminated with a motivating keynote panel discussion from Sustainability Manager James Dixon-Gough, SRI Associate Professor Dr Alice Owen, Natural Capital Valuation and Woodland Creation Officer at the United Bank of Carbon (UBoC) Anna Gugan and Student Sustainability Architect Negar Nagshinehpour. The group discussed questions about the climate crisis submitted by the audience and the greater university community, emphasising local opportunities for action. Thank you to Student Sustainability Architect Dr David Mihell for chairing the panel.

The panel was followed by an awards ceremony, which celebrated the excellent poster entries as part of the conference exhibition, an inspiring performance by Meegan Worcester (President of the Spoken Word Society) and a closing address delivered by Director of Sustainability Dr Louise Ellis.

We were delighted with the strong turnout and a show of great enthusiasm from delegates and would like to thank everyone involved with making the event a success including all of the presenters, panellists, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts, MeetinLeeds, Great Food at Leedsand the FD Marketing and Communications team.

The University of Leeds supports the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Presenters have been asked to identify how their research aligns with the SDGs and this will be communicated through their posters and presentations on the day. For more information on the SDGs please visit sustainabledevelopment.un.org.

Photography and video recording

Photographers will be on campus throughout the conference to capture impressions of the day. An external company will also be on-campus recording video at the conference. We may use these images and videos in publicity and marketing materials for future events, on our website, or on our social media accounts. If you do not want to be included in any photographs or video taken by the official conference photographers, please let them know as early as possible.